Milei Donkeys

Milei Donkeys

　　In the minds of the general public, donkeys have mainly been regarded as heavy-duty labor animals used for pulling carts, farming, and transportation. However, in recent years, with the continuous advancement of agricultural mechanization, fewer and fewer people in rural areas raise donkeys or use them for plowing fields or transporting crops. They have gradually been replaced by tractors, motorcycles, and agricultural vehicles, and most donkeys are now raised for meat.

　　As people’s living conditions have gradually improved, more and more individuals are pursuing food with nutritional value and health benefits. Donkey meat, with its unique taste and high nutritional value, has become highly favored by consumers. Indeed, donkey meat is extremely rich in nutrients, containing carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and a variety of amino acids essential to the human body. It has health benefits such as nourishing the heart, calming the nerves, and replenishing qi and blood. Dong'e Ejiao products, for example, are made from donkey hide and are known for their excellent blood-enriching, skin-nourishing, and beauty-enhancing effects. As the saying goes, “Dragon meat in the heavens, donkey meat on earth,” highlighting the exceptional taste and nutritional value of donkey meat. Additionally, because donkey meat suits the tastes of a broad consumer base, the donkey meat industry enjoys a very wide potential market. As a result, the price of donkey meat has been rising steadily in recent years. The market purchase price for live donkeys is around 20 yuan per kilogram, and the transaction price for an adult donkey is about 4,000 yuan. If slaughtered and sold by cut, the average price of donkey meat can reach 50 yuan per kilogram, making it a highly profitable venture. Donkeys are herbivorous animals that are tolerant of coarse feed, have strong disease resistance, and are not bothered by cold or heat. They can be raised in pens or allowed to graze. Corn stalks, grain straw, peanut stalks, sugarcane leaves, and wild grasses from the mountains—all are good sources of fodder. Therefore, Milei County has the necessary feed resources for raising donkeys. In recent years, many rural areas have imported meat donkeys from Sichuan for breeding and sales, enjoying considerable profit margins.